“Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through every setback, every practice, and every decision to keep going.” — Caroline Tripp

In this episode of Challenger Deep: Athletes Rising Above Adversity, I had the privilege of sitting down with an incredible young woman—Caroline Tripp.

Caroline is a basketball player, a coach, and most of all, a leader. Her journey is filled with powerful lessons about confidence, identity, and rising above adversity. If you're an athlete navigating your own struggles—on or off the court—you’ll get a ton of value from this conversation.

Let’s break down some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation.

Caroline’s story as a basketball player started early—but it didn’t come without challenges. She shared how injuries, setbacks, and moments of doubt shaped her perspective as an athlete.

Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she chose to let them refine her.

What stood out was her mindset. Even in the toughest moments, she kept showing up—not just for herself, but for her teammates. That’s the sign of a confident athlete: someone who doesn’t just play the game but becomes a leader through it.

Caroline faced plenty of adversity—injuries, performance pressure, and internal battles with self-doubt. But rather than seeing those as reasons to quit, she used them as fuel to grow.

We talked about how true personal development happens not when things are easy, but when you push through the hard stuff. When you get comfortable being uncomfortable. When you stop asking, “Why is this happening to me?” and start asking, “What is this teaching me?”

Whether you’re just starting out or chasing that next level, her perspective is one every basketball player—and every confident athlete—needs to hear.

This episode is sponsored by dōTERRA — the global leader in essential oils and natural wellness solutions. As a listener of the Challenger Deep podcast, you can unlock 25% off all dōTERRA products and supplements.

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Check out other episodes of The Challenger Deep: Athletes Rising Above Adversity Podcast:
Setting Big Goals & Crushing Them: Tanner McLachlan's Path to the NFL
The Mindset of a World Champion: Josh Frost 2024 World Champion Bull Rider
​Lessons in Leadership and Overcoming Adversity: Heather Gage
Overcoming Obstacles with Strength and Determination: Caity Patterson
Faith, Adversity & Mental Toughness: Daniel Dickerson
The Journey from Athlete to Mentor: Pat O'Malley​
​Sherry Winn: Champion Mindset & Overcoming Adversity
The Path for Coaches: Mentorship
​Madelyn Wilson - Beating Cancer, Building Championships
​How Byrnes Softball Defied the Odds and Won the State Championship
​Dora Kurimay: Get Your Game Face On